Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, in his first press conference since the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, said he is “not in a hurry” to fill vacant ministerial posts.
“We don’t want to give this subject more than it deserves, but we will not appoint a Minister unless there is full confidence in the nomination,” Shafiq said.
His comments came as several thousand protesters continued to demonstrate in Tahrir Square, calling for the Cabinet to be sacked amid allegations of corruption and a lack of accountability.
The armed forces, which assumed control of the country following Mubarak’s ouster, have left the Cabinet he appointed last month in place — with the exception of Minister of Information Anas al-Fiqi, who has been placed under house arrest.
Shafiq also said that the government would make lowering food prices a priority, as millions of Egyptians currently rely on government subsidies to survive.
